Updated 10.50am
Teenager Liam Debono has been sentenced to five years in prison, left more than €60,000 out of pocket and banned from driving for a decade for having driven a car while out on bail, despite a court order forbidding him from doing so.
The 18-year-old, who is currently facing attempted murder charges for having allegedly run over police officer Simon Schembri in a 2018 hit-and-run incident, was caught behind the wheel by police last month.
Liam Debono stood alone at the dock while the Magistrates’ Court delivered judgment on Friday morning declaring the young man guilty of driving without a licence, in breach of a 3-year ban imposed upon him last year.
He was also found guilty of driving without an insurance cover, breaching a probation order, breaching bail and also with being a recidivist.
The young man, currently still facing proceedings over the incident which left PC Simon Schembri maimed for life, landed once again on the wrong side of the law when on the afternoon of May 24, he was spotted by an off-duty police officer, driving a Fiat Uno at Luqa.
What had caught the policeman’s eye was the slouched stance of the driver, whom he immediately recognised as Liam Debono, in spite of his face being partially hidden behind sunglasses.
Sergeant Kevin Curmi, who earned a special mention by the Court on Friday for his “strong civic sense” and “respect towards his uniform and the role he occupied,” had on that Friday afternoon promptly alerted his colleagues, while continuing to chase the Fiat Uno, giving precise and detailed directions of the route taken by its driver.
When reading out the salient parts of the judgment, Magistrate Joseph Mifsud, explained that case rested on the testimony of Sergent Curmi, declaring that the Court was morally convinced of the facts as testified by the police officer, whom he had no reason to doubt.
Although being off-duty, the officer had followed the suspect, keeping visual contact and looking on as the driver jumped out of his seat to exchange places with the passenger, Jason Zammit.
Later on, had also identified the alleged culprit through the clothes he had been wearing at the time of arrest.
Moreover, the officer had been present when Jason Zammit had first “confessed”, upon being stopped by the police, that Debono had “effectively” been driving.
The sergeant’s testimony had been corroborated by other evidence, the Court went on, adding that the fact that the defence had not chosen to cross-examine the witness, though not implying guilt, was in itself “indicative.”
On the basis of all evidence put forward, the court declared the accused guilty, condemning him to a 1-year jail term and a €6,000 fine. He landed a 3 and a half year jail term and a €5,000 fine for breaching probation and a further 6 month jail term for breach of bail, bringing the total to five years imprisonment and a €11,000 fine.
His earlier bail was revoked against forfeiture of the €10,000 deposit and €40,000 personal guarantee. Upon serving the jail term, the accused would have to face a 10-year driving ban.
The Court strongly deplored the young man’s attitude towards the law, ignoring court orders and “doing as he liked” as though he was “above the law.” If everyone did likewise, we would end up living in a lawless jungle, Magistrate Mifsud remarked, stressing that bail conditions were always to be followed scrupulously and “to the letter.”
The owner of the Fiat Uno, Jason Zammit, will forfeit the car, but will also face possible investigation over his certain participation in the offence.
The Court sent a recommendation to the Police Commissioner to investigate both the man and his daughter, Kirsty, for possibly testifying falsely in the proceedings.
The court finally revoked the brief of the probation officer who had been appointed to monitor the accused.
Legal aid lawyer Victor Bugeja was counsel to the accused. Inspectors Fabian Fleri and Pierguido Saliba prosecuted.